Katey England
Katey talks about her time on the Team
programme and about being a Young Ambassador for The Prince's
Trust.
If someone had told me a year
ago that I would where I am now, I would have laughed at them. But
here I am 12 months later; a Young Ambassador and attending a
garden party with His Royal Highness Prince Charles at St James’s
Palace.
The day was amazing, joining around 80 Young Ambassadors from
around the country to celebrate the positive work we do for The
Prince’s Trust. Prince Charles took the time to speak to everyone
who was there.
You could see how passionate he was about the work that his
Trust does for young people. He was very interested to hear about
everyone’s story.
He ended the event by thanking all the Young Ambassadors for all
the positive work that we have done, and how proud he was of us
all. It was also good to chat to others who have had such fantastic
experiences and been given a second chance by the trust.
My second chance came when I started the Team Programme with the
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in Blackpool in May 2009. Twelve
weeks that helped me turn my life around. I had nothing to motivate
me, I had no confidence and my self esteem was really low.
I had been in an out of psychiatric wards from being 18. I had
pretty much given up on doing anything. Everything I tried at I
seemed to fail or I became unwell and had to stop.
It wasn’t until the end of the twelve weeks that I looked back
and realised how far I had come and how much I had changed. Having
someone believe in you, when you don’t believe in yourself means so
much it gave me to fight I needed to continue on the course.
The Team Leaders never gave up on me, even when
I was trying to quit.
Katey England, Young
Ambassador
Now as a Young Ambassador I am able to show people how much The
Prince’s Trust has helped me. I attend Prince’s Trust events and
speak to corporate businesses. I want to make sure that the work of
The Trust continues to reach those young people who need a second
chance.
I have so much more confidence now and I actually enjoy life.
Without the help of The Prince’s Trust and the Lancashire Fire
& Rescue Service I can honestly say I wouldn’t be here now. I
had the chance to get my life back, I took it and now I can help
others who are where I was.